Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

Chapter 41

The summer slipped away, the days growing shorter. Severus and Jolicia enjoyed the rest of their time alone together before the commencement of classes. They took long walks into the countryside, often taking a picnic to their favorite spot, the spot where it all really began for them. The weather had been exceptionally fine that summer and both of them remained tanned and looking fit.

"The students are not going to recognize you, my love," Jo had told him. He just scoffed.

They cherished the moments they spent indulging in quiet pastimes – reading, drawing, and relaxing. The only disruptions were the times when Severus was summoned by Voldemort. These times were of no regular schedule. Sometimes he was summoned several nights in a row; other times he went for what seemed like weeks without a call. Miraculously, he had not been summoned during the honeymoon, although they had both been prepared for such an eventuality. For that, they were both grateful. Each time before he left, Severus always made sure that he found Jolicia and told her how much he loved and adored her. Both knew, without it being said, that each time he said his goodbyes, it could very well be for the last time. The possibility of his death was frighteningly real. There was one last thing that Severus always did before he left – he bewitched his wedding ring. It was not wise for him to show up with a ring on his finger, so he caused it to grow large enough so that he could slip it over his wrist like a bracelet. He was able to keep the symbol of their love with him, even when he did the Dark Lord's bidding. He touched it often – somehow it seemed to give him strength and peace of mind. It was also a symbol of hope, the hope that one day very soon his ordeal would be finally over. He longed for that day when he was not obliged to leave his beloved.

The solitude finally came to an end. The students were arriving later that afternoon. Jolicia had decided that she would remain Professor Medwin, at least for the time being. Two Professors Snapes might be a little confusing for the children.

Harry had not been able to spend any time at the Burrow this year, much to his chagrin. He had not even been able to arrange a meeting with either Ron or Hermione at Diagon Alley. He had made the trip on his own this time. As he purchased his school supplies, he realized that this was the last time; he was entering his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. He was quite sad at the thought. Hogwarts was the only place, aside from the Burrow, that he had been happy. As he sat at a street side table at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, enjoying a humungous dish of strawberry- peanut butter- chocolate chip- caramel ice cream, he pondered his future. Harry was unsure of what career path he should follow. The thought of being an Auror was exciting, but then again, he often fancied the idea of playing Quidditch professionally. There most certainly were other options he had not even considered. Time was growing short – he would have to decide soon, but for moment, he was concentrating on enjoying his ice cream.

Uncle Vernon delivered Harry to the train station on September 1st, not even bothering to get out of the car. When Harry said goodbye, he grunted something unintelligible and sped off, not looking back. It was a happy day for uncle and nephew, both equally pleased to see the last of the other. Harry made his way through the station and finally onto Platform 9 ¾. He searched the crowds for his friends.

"Harry! Harry! Over here," called Hermione. She ran to greet him and threw her arms around his shoulders.

"Wow, Hermione. You've changed over the summer. You look smashing!" said Harry standing back to appreciate his friend.

She blushed and said, "Thanks. You too. It's so great to see you. I missed you lots."

He was about to reply when a voice cut through the din, "Harry, mate! Hermione!" It was Ron. He left his mother and Ginny behind and came running up to meet his friends, a big goofy grin on his face.

"Oh my god, Ron. You're huge!" cried Hermione.

"You must be six feet tall," exclaimed Harry. He was a little jealous of his friend's height. Harry was only 5' 8½".

"I'm 6' 2", to be exact. I feel like a ruddy giant!" said Ron. "I stick out like a sore thumb, with my hair and my height and all." Unfortunately, he was right.

The friends chattered away, trying to make up for lost time. Molly Weasley finally came over to greet them. They apologized for being rude.

"That's all right, my dears. I was young once. Hermione, congratulations on being made Head Girl. Well done!" said Molly. "I Understand Draco Malfoy was made Head Boy. I always said you two made a good pair."

At the mention of Draco's name, Hermione gave a little start. No one but Harry noticed.

He pulled her aside and asked, "Have you seen or heard from him at all?"

"Not one word, Harry. I knew I wouldn't, but I never figured it would be so hard. I am so nervous about seeing him again. What if he doesn't fancy me anymore? What if he found someone else over the summer?" Harry tried to reassure her. He hoped he was right.

The time came for the train to begin its journey. They all said goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and climbed onboard. Hermione kept scanning for Draco, but so far, he was nowhere to be seen. The train pulled out and Hermione was quite dejected, positive that Draco had been left behind. She told her friends she would see them later and walked slowly to the front of the train, to the compartment reserved for the Head Boy and Girl. She thought perhaps she would find him waiting for her, but was again disappointed. Hermione threw herself down and stared out the window, bitter tears running down her cheeks. The train sped along, cutting through the countryside. It was a beautiful sunny day, but not for Hermione. It was as grey and somber as a late November deluge. Someone came into the compartment. Hermione did not turn to see who it was.

She kept staring out the window and said, "You're not allowed here. This is reserved for the Head Boy and Girl. Leave. Now."

"I know, Babe. I'm the Head Boy."

Hermione turned and there stood Draco, grinning at her. He, like Ron had grown taller during the summer. Whereas Ron still had that gangly, awkward teenage boy look, Draco's features had started to change. He was starting to look less of a boy and more of a man. Hermione was transfixed. She couldn't move or speak. It was as if the sight of him had somehow disconnected her brain from the rest of her body. It was only when he moved towards her that she came to life and flew into his arms. She melted under the heat of his kiss.

When they finally broke for some much needed air, Hermione asked, "Where have you been? I was imagining all kinds of horrible things."

He pulled her down on the seat beside him and answered, "I got here very early. My parents insisted that they see me off, so I made sure they were long gone before you got here. I was hiding out in the back until I was certain you were alone. I knew I couldn't keep my hands off." He held her tightly. "I missed you so much, Babe."

"I missed you too, Draco. More than you'll ever know."

For the remainder of the trip, they stayed in their private compartment and caught up on each other's news. It was only when the train pulled into Hogsmeade that they left in order to fulfill their duties as Head Boy and Girl. On the platform, Harry made eye contact with Hermione. He gave her a questioning look. She flashed him a 'thumbs up' just as Malfoy alighted. Harry understood and was pleased that everything was all right with his friend.

All of the students made the trek to the school. The first day was always steeped in ritual. Harry watched from his place at the Gryffindor table as the new first years entered for the sorting ceremony.

"Merlin," he thought. "Was I ever that small? Did I look as frightened as they do?"

Upon reflection, he found that the answer to both questions was yes. It made him smile as he remembered his own sorting- how he had pleaded with the Sorting Hat not to place him in Slytherin. Fortunately, the hat had listened. It was with great pride that he called himself a Gryffindor.

Dumbledore gave his usual welcoming speech. Nothing much had changed since last year. For the first time in Harry's memory, the students had the same DADA teacher for the second year in a row. He gazed up at the teachers' table and saw Jolicia, sitting next to Severus, just as she had done last year. It still amazed him when he thought of them being married! He watched them closely and, although he doubted that any of the others would have noticed, he saw that they looked happy, very happy indeed. Who would have or could have ever imagined Professor Snape a happily married man? None of them, not even in their nightmares was the answer. It proved that there is someone out there for everyone, even greasy gits and overgrown bats! Harry grinned to himself. He had to try to stop thinking of the Potions Master in those terms. After all, they had come to a certain level of understanding and he was the husband of a dear friend. Harry promised himself he'd try.

After the feast, when all of the students had been dismissed, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco stayed back to greet Severus and Jolicia. Jo greeted them all with a hug and kiss; Severus with a nod. He might be married to a demonstrative woman, but he still had a lot of lessons to learn in that area. Jo invited them around for tea the next day, saying that she had some little gifts from Italy for them. Her invitation was most enthusiastically accepted by the four students. As they parted ways, Jolicia reminded them to still call her Professor Medwin.

"We're still trying to be discreet," added Severus.

On the way to Gryffindor Tower Ron said, "I don't know why Malfoy is still hanging around. Can't he meet with his godfather privately? He's getting to be a right pain in the arse."

Harry and Hermione glanced at one another. Harry mouthed to her, "Tell him." She knew that the time was right, she had to let Ron in on her secret.

She took a deep breath and said, "Ron, can we sit down for a minute? I've got something to tell you."

"Sure 'Mione. What is it? Nothing is wrong is it?" he said, sitting down on the steps beside Hermione. Harry continued on his way, not wanting to intrude.

She cleared her throat and began, "I have wanted to tell you this since last term, but I was afraid."

"Why were you afraid? We're friends, we can tell each other anything."

"I know it's silly, but once I tell you, you'll understand. Okay, here goes nothing. Ron, Draco is my boyfriend. We've been seeing each other since last March."

"Wh..what? You and Malfoy? Ferret boy? No, no way. Hermione, tell me this is a joke." His face was turning crimson.

"No, Ron, it isn't a joke."

"No fucking way. How could you? He's an evil Slytherin bastard." Ron was growing angrier by the second. He was also deeply hurt.

"You see, this was why I was afraid to tell you. I knew you'd react like this. Draco has changed, Ron. You've seen it yourself."

"No, I can't deal with this. Hermione, anyone but HIM!" Ron got up and left Hermione crying. He stormed through the Gryffindor common room and ran right up to bed. Harry followed him up and found him lying face down on his bed.

"Ron, mate. Wanna talk about it?"

"No. Just leave me alone."

"Ron, Draco really does love her and she loves him."

"You know?"

"Yes. She was afraid to tell you and I can see by your reaction, she was right to be afraid. Ron, you're like a brother to her. Can't you be happy for Hermione?"

"No. I'll never accept Malfoy. Fuck! This can't be happening."

"You better find a way to deal with this because it's not going to go away. If you don't, you're going to lose one of the best friends you'll ever have. Give Draco a chance – not only for Hermione's sake but for yours as well."

Harry went downstairs and left Ron alone with his thoughts. Ron had told Harry and Hermione that he had no secrets from them, that he told them everything. This was a lie. There was one secret that Ron had kept from them. He had kept it from the one person he should have told right from the beginning. That one person was Hermione Granger. Ron was in love with Hermione, and had been for quite some time. He could never bring himself to tell her. There were times when she got on his nerves but then there were the other times; the times when he felt all goofy and happy just to be with her; the times when he thought he would die if he didn't kiss her; the times when it excited him just to think about her. He also felt inferior to her in many ways - academically, financially, and emotionally, to name a few. These feelings had kept him from divulging the truth. Also, he had thought that she would always be there, loyal and faithful Hermione, waiting for him. How wrong he had been! The fact that he had lost her to Malfoy had just rubbed salt in the wound. He'd blown it big time!

"You're a stupid fucking git!" he yelled. He wasn't talking about Draco, but about himself.